Let The Tv Wars Begin

Notebook

December 1, 1997

THE NFL today will enter its earnest and wildly lucrative open negotiation period with the major television networks for a new contract that is expected to rise more than 50 percent, to an anticipated $7 billion for four years. The expected huge jump in fees comes at a time when NFL ratings have dropped. However, ratings for NFL games still dwarf those of other sports and add value to a network far beyond the millions of viewers each game gets.

ELSEWHERE . . .

SAN DIEGO'S Eric Metcalf set an NFL record with his ninth career punt return for a touchdown, racing 83 yards to score against Denver. The 11th kick-return touchdown of his career extends the NFL record he set on Nov. 2. Metcalf has two kickoff returns and nine punt returns for touchdowns in the regular season and one kickoff return in the playoffs. . . .

After 13 games and two receptions, Alvin Harper has had enough of the Washington Redskins. ''They can cut me right now,'' Harper said after Sunday's 23-20 loss to St. Louis. ''I don't care. They aren't using me, anyway. What am I doing here?'' What Harper was supposed to be doing here was adding depth and another dimension of playmaking ability to an offense devastated by injuries to wide receivers last season. . . . 49ers receiver Jerry Rice ran pass patterns in pregame warmups at Kansas City and made sharp cuts - both left and right - with no apparent difficulty on his injured left knee. Rice is expected to begin practicing Wednesday, with the anticipation he will return Dec. 15 against the Broncos. . . .

Just five fans were arrested Sunday in Philadelphia and tried at the team's in-stadium court, down from 20 arrests in the first week. Two people were arrested on disorderly conduct charges and one was convicted, Eagles spokesman Ron Howard said. Two fans were convicted of public urination while a fifth was found guilty of trespassing. The fans were fined between $200-$300. . . . The Cowboys' game Dec. 14 at Riverfront Stadium against the Bengals could end the Cowboys' current 126-game sold-out stadium streak, home or away. The Bengals are out of the playoff hunt, it will be cold and possibly snowy, and there will be a lot of shopping to do.